Mechanical fingering and picking device for electric bass guitar



May 13, 1969 R. A. KIDWELL MECHANICAL FINGERING AND PICKING DEVICE FORELECTRIC BASS GUITAR 4 v f O t e 9 h 5 Filed Dec. 2a, 1966 Em SQ BQ x km QEQ 53mm 6 Raymond A. MUw/I INVENTOR.

May 13, 1969 R. A. KIDWELL MECHANICAL FINGERING AND PICKING DEVICE FORELECTRIC BASS GUITAR Sheet Filed Dec. 28, 1966 R NM Qv N\ N3 m WM m@ N.mm mm 4 G wE W3 4% 4% t3 w L aw FQ 4Q N $4 May 13, 1969 R A. KIDWELL3,443,468

MECHANICAL FIPEGERING AND PICKING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR FiledDec. 28, 1966 Sheet 3 I02 Chard Selector P/ale Fig. 7 lea ET a2 Hg. 6

Raymond A. lfl'dwe/l IN VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,443,468 MECHANI'CAL FINGERING AND PICKING DEVICEFOR ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR Raymond A. Kidwell, 114 N. th St., Frederick,Okla. 73542 Filed Dec. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 605,238 Int. Cl. Gltld 3/00US. Cl. 84315 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electric bassguitar is supported atop a stand comparable in height and size to acoffee table. Foot operated mechanical fingers and picks selectivelyfret and pluck the guitars strings. Performer while simultaneouslyplaying (1) harness-held harmonica and (2) hand playable companionguitar sits in front of bass guitar stand. Stand supported trippablelevers are selectively operated by left foot and actuate applicable andremovable fretting fingers. A heel-and-toe tiltable treadle for theright foot actuates push-pull rods having spring-biased pawls which inturn actuate ratchet wheels equipped with circumferential picksrhythmically producing slap-bass pizzicato accompaniment.

Background 0 the invention This invention relates, generally stated, tostringed musical instruments, an electric bass guitar for example, aportable stand atop which a conventional guitar is positioned and heldin a horizontal upwardly facing ready-to play manner, and novelself-contained mechanized means mounted on the stand and so constructedthat the usual strings can be fretted and stopped by mechanicalfingering means and simultaneously but rhythmically plucked by flexiblypliant mechanically controlled picks or plectrums.

Description of the prior art The introductory statement of the over-allconcept is not intended to convey the impression that mechanical playingmeans for guitars and the like is new. Many prior art string fingeringmechanisms and plucking picks have been devised and, to a limitedextent, acceptably used. Therefore, it should be pointed out at theoutset that the herein disclosed invention is an innovation in that thestand not only supports a conventional unaltered electric bass guitar,it enables the performer to finger and pick the strings through themedium of feasible mechanical means which, in turn, is brought into playand is controlled with requisite nicety wholly by 1) foot pedals and 2)treadle means selectively actuated by the left and right feet,respectively, in keeping with the time signature and nature of thecomposition being played. Not only is the invention uniquely attractivein appearance, the performer, if qualified, can, when endowed withshowmanship and dexterity of feet and mannerisms, put on a spectacularshow, can offer a one-man ban act by playing a second guitar with hishands, can sing or, alternatively can add to his versatility by alsoplaying a harness-held mouth organ or the like. Then, too, since asingle guitarist can double up on two guitars (one treble and the otheran accompaniment rhythm bass) the bass man normally required in a smallgroup can be dispensed with.

For further background, the four open strings on an electric bass guitarare customarily tuned two octaves below middle C on a piano keyboard.Rearward string (1) is tuned to G, string (2) to D, string (3) to A, andforward string (4) is tuned to E. The guitar (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) isconventional and the supporting and positioning stand or equivalentportable support means is expressly designed and constructed to poiseand present the guitar in a face-up ready-to-play position. The stand ischaracterized, generally construed, by a simple rearwardly downwardlyinclined leg supported generally rectangular low level frame withcushioned pads or rests for the head and body ends of the guitar.Inasmuch as the performer has his hands occupied playing a primaryguitar or other instrument, the bass guitar fingering and picking meansis foot actuated and controlled. The left foot actuates seven footpedals for selecting single note tones or chords identified (by a chordselector plate) as at GB-C-D-A-F and E. For best results finger-equippedlifting and lowering levers achieve this phase of the over-alloperation. A single treadle for the right foot operates and beats outthe variable rhythm patterns (usually two or four beats to eachmeasure). More particularly, this single treadle is rocked back andforth alternatively with the heel and toe of the right foot andreciprocates substantially horizontal push-pull rods carrying properlylocated spring-biased pawls which, in turn, act on reel-like ratchetwheels equipped with string plucking picks. For best results the fourreels or pick-wheels are freely rotatable 0n companion spring-returnedcarrier arms which are oriented above the four EAD and G strings and areraised and lowered in keeping with the string (or strings) to berhythmically plucked.

Summary f the invention Briefly, I provide a stringed musicalinstrument, an electrified bass guitar for example, having a body withan elongated neck fixed to and extending from one end of said body, saidneck terminating in a head and being provided with a string seating nutat the juncture of the head and neck a complemental bridge parallel toand spaced longitudinally from said nut at least one vibratory stringstretched tautly across said bridge and nut and having its end portionsanchored on the body and head respectively said head having regulablemeans thereon for raising and lowering the pitch of said string at willrigid support means positioning and holding said instrument in ahorizontal playable plane with said string in an upwardly facingaccessible position a lever operatively mounted on said support having alower end providing a foot pedal and an upper end overlying and movabletoward and from a predetermined portion of said string and mechanicalstring stopping fingering means carried by said upper end locatedproximal to and forcibly but releasably engageable with that portion ofsaid string with which it is oriented whereby to select and fret aprescribed tone when firmly pressed upon said string.

Such adjustments as are deemed to be necessary by the manufacturer areavailable and accessible to permit one with nominal care and ability(perhaps the guitarist himself) to cope with and take care of thisaspect of the matter, with the result that satisfactory functioning ofthe essential parts is assured. The seven foot controlled pivotallevers, various shaft members, linkage means and push-pull rods will beprecision made to reduce friction and attending noises to a minimum.Therefore, and even though the guitars electrical magnetic pickups aresensitively responsive, any side noises will be offset and subdued bythe heavy low register rhythmical pizzicato string plucking soundeffects. The reel-like pick wheels are so mounted on reach arms that ifthey happen to turn in a wrong direction because of friction drag, locknut means is available for correcting malfunctioning. In fact, slippageand tightness needs can be hand-tested and put in order when necessary.Then, too, the fact that the action of the circu'mferentially spacedtimely plucking is amplified electrically permits picks of testedflexibility and durability to be used. Hence, the picks do not (at leastshould not) strike the strings so deeply that an undesirable jerkyaction results. In fact, adjusting screws atop the wheel arms areavailable. The guitar is not only correctly inclined from front to rear,a setscrew is accessible to relocate and align the guitar and stringswith the mechanical fretting fingers and coordinating pickequippedWheels. The customary machine screws on the head of the guitar arereadily accessible for tuning the strings. The guitar itself is bodilyinsertable and removable without difficulty.

The right foot treadle is friction mounted and can slip if too much heelor toe pressure is applied. This feature takes care of the desiredtreadle angle by merely tilting without having to loosen the availablenut. If undesirable slippage is present during ordinary playing, the nutis too loose and can and should be tightened to remedy the situation.

Generally stated the sequence of operation is a four-inone function: (1)contacting a selected pedal with toe of the left foot results inbringing a presser finger into play for fretting a single note tone or,alternatively, a chord (2) rocking the treadle brings the push-pull rodsand (3) pawls into play thereby (4) actuating the pick-equipped freeturning ratchet wheels.

More specifically, the stand is portable and characterized by arearwardly downwardly inclined frame pro vided with suitable legs. Thetransverse end members of the topmost frame have cushioned pads fixedthereon and fashioned to effectually seat and retain an electric bassguitar in a horizontal up-facing playable position thereon. A pluralityof elongated yoke-like or U-shaped carriers are used as adapters and forselectively raisable and lowerable reel-like ratchet wheels equippedwith radial string plucking picks. A rearward limb of each carrierprovides a shaft which is spring-biased and oscillatable in bracket-heldbearing blocks. Each forward limb provides a reach arm whose free endcarries and supports a complemental free turning pick-equipped ratchetwheel. This reach arm is alignable with an underlying string, the Estring for example, and when it is pulled, by adjustable strap means, toa down position the accompanying wheel is then near enough to thecompanion string to allow the radical picks to function. A pivoted footcontrolled lever has an upper end carrying the strap (FIG. 9) whichactuates the reach arm. This upper end also carries a mechanical fingerterminating in at least one (generally two) roller-like stringdepressing and fretting head. Accordingly, when the head of the fingeris levered to assume a string contacting and fretting position, thecomplemental strap pulls the companion reach arm and pick-wheel intoplace above the string and novel treadle controlled means comes intoplay to actuate the picks and pluck the selected string. Each lever isactuated and controlled by the toe of the left foot and the singletreadle means is actuated (determinable by the rhythm pattern) by theheel and toe of the right foot. While only one treadle is necessary,seven pedals are provided for a good range of harmonious chords.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of aconventional electric bass guitar poised and supported in a playableposition atop the leg supported stand and showing the mechanical pedaloperated fingering means, simultaneously operable string picking orplucking means, and all components essential to the over-all fingeringand picking result.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational View of the device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view on an enlarged scale with parts broken away taken onthe plane of the vertical line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a similar enlarged and fragmentarily shown View looking in theopposite direction and taken on the plane of the irregular section line4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view taken through one of the reciprocableor push-pull spring-loaded pawlequipped rods showing how the pawlsalternately trip the ratcheting means of the two aligned forward andrearward pick wheels hereinafter designated as white and blackrespectively.

FIG. 6 is likewise an enlarged fragmentary detail view taken through thefingerboard showing the four strings, one of the finger operating leversand the pick wheel carrying reach arms with the pick wheels omitted.

FIG. 7 is likewise an enlarged detail view showing one of theaforementioned ratchet-type pick-equipped wheels and how it isoperatively suspended.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in section and elevation taken approximatelyon the plane of the line 88 of FIG. 1.

And FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view the significant purpose ofWhich is to illustrate the essence of the over-all invention.

Description 0 the preferred embodiment By way of introduction to thedetailed description it seems appropriate to set forth that the conceptis such that it comprehends playing an instrument with (1) a singlestring or (2) a plurality of strings. To be sure, the idea is to enablea performer (usually a guitarist) to play a lead guitar and bass guitarsimultaneously while singing or, alternatively, while playing aharness-held mouth organ. However, it seems advisable to simplify thepresentation by showing a regular electric bass guitar mechanicallyplayable in FIGS. 1-4 with the essence of the overall concept insimplified form in FIG. 9 with certain details omitted for clearness.Also, in the main views (FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) it will be noted that thefour reels or ratchet wheels are distinguishably designated by'theprinted legends white, red, blue and black from front to back. Further,the four customary strings are identified from front to back (FIG. 3)E4, A-3, D- 2 and G-1 in the order of a conventional electric bassguitar. It follows that mechanical fingering means is provided for eachstring and a pick-wheel is provided for each string. The white wheel(FIG. 1) is registrable with the E-string, the red wheel with theA-string, the blue wheel with the D-string and the black wheel with theG-string. As above implied, the novelty of the invention has to do withthe single string concept (FIG. 9) and the multiple string electric bassguitar concept (FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular). Then, too, novelty ispredicated on the stand, the foot trippable levers operating, frettingfingers, the right foot treadle, ratchet wheel picks, and push-pull rodsand means operating the pick wheels.

Also and before taking up the primary component parts individually andcollectively it is to be pointed out that inasmuch as a conventionalelectric bass guitar is being herein shown as exemplary of the stringedinstrument under advisement and since it involves a duplication offingering and picking mechanism, except for rearrangement, for each ofthe four strings, it is deemed advisable to stress the fact that,generally speaking, FIG. 9 (which is diagrammatic in character) is beingutilized to emphasize the character and cooperation of the fingering andpicking means for a single string.

The guitar is a conventional four-string electric bass guitar and isdenoted generally by the numeral 12 and comprises a customary bodyportion the butt end of which is denoted at 14, the neck being denotedat 16, fingerboard 18 and frets at 20 (FIG. 6). When the guitar isplaced in its playable generally horizontal position on the legsupported stand it occupies a rearwardly downwardly sloping position.The head is denoted at 22 and machine screws for tuning the strings aredenoted at 24. The four conventional strings are designated, as usual,as E, A, D and G, respectively, but in practice are referred to in areverse order as strings 1, 2, 3 and 4 as shown (FIG. 4) and also by thealphabetical legends on the views of the drawings. The left hand endportions of the strings are connected to the tuning or machine screws 24as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The opposite end portions are trained oversuitable bridge means 26 and anchored on tail means 28.

The fact that the fingering and picking means is actuated and controlledby the left foot and right foot respectively of the performer requiresthat the upwardly facing guitar must be cradled and held with requisitenicety on a practical support which in the form of the invention hereinshown comprises a stand which as before suggested, is about the generalsize of a narrow width coffee table. The stand is such that the forwardside, in front of which the guitarist sits, is relatively high whichmeans that the rearward side slopes rearwardly and downwardly as perhapsbest shown in FIG. 3. This stand comprises leg supported frame means,all legs being denoted at 30 and being arranged at the corner portionsof a first or underneath frame 32 and a second or top frame 34 which isaligned with and superimposed on the firstnamed frame. The members ofthe frame 32 are preferably channel-shaped in cross-section. The membersof the top frame 34 are preferably tubular and considering said frame 34somewhat in detail it comprises a longitudinal forward frame member 36,an opposed longitudinal rear frame member 38, an a-rcuate end framemember and a complemental end frame member 42. The upper ends of thelegs, which are also tubular, are suitably connected with both frames 32and 34. The guitar head 22 is seated in an accommodating notch or seat44 on a fixedly mounted cushioned rest or pad 46 as shown in FIG. 1. Asimilar cushioned pad 48 is notched at 50 and serves to support the buttend of the body. It will be noted that the transverse frame member 42has one end hinged as at 52 (FIG. 1) and the other end adjustablymounted in the coacting support leg or post 30 in the manner shown inFIG. 8. To the ends desired, a plunger 54 operated by a spring 56 has adetent 58 adjustably connectible with keeper holes 60 provided therefor.It follows that while the transverse frame member 40 is fixed, theopposite member 42 is hinged and adjustable to assist in positioning thereadily applicable and removable guitar in a satisfactorily playableposition. As a further means of holding the guitar it will be noted thata suitably arched saddle is provided as at 62 (FIG. 4), one end of thesaddle being hingedly mounted at 64 and the other end similarly hingedlymounted at 66 whereby the saddle can be swung forwardly or rearwardly orfrom left to right to position the rubber protector sleeve 68 underneaththe guitar body. As a further precaution in locating the guitar in asteady playable position at tention is directed to a suitable stationaryfixture 70 (FIG. 4) which is provided with a setscrew 72 and a swivellymounted padded head 74 to engage the rim 76 of the guitar body. Itfollows that this dual-frame leg supported stand functions to permit theuser to insert and place the guitar in steadied position so that it canbe mechanically fingered and picked or plucked by the means or mechanismwhich will be fully described.

Referring again to FIG. 1 it will be noted that the rearward part of thestand is provided (left to right) with several longitudinally spacedupwardly inclined adapter brackets 79, 80 and 81. The numeral 82 (FIGS.1 and 2) constitutes and provides a single appropriate reinforcing bracehaving forward ends 83 and 84 (FIG. 3) suitably anchored to promoterigidity. In FIG. 1 the numeral 86 designates a horizontal shaftjournaled in bearings 88 and 89 mounted on the brackets 79 and 80. Withfurther reference to FIG. 3 it will be noted that the numeral 90designates a bearing block which is supported on the bracket 79 andwhich serves a purpose to be later described. With continued referenceto the stand, attention is directed to the horizontal panel 92 at thefront near the lower ends of the front legs and which is provided with aplurality of vertical slots (FIG, 2) each slot having a marginallycushioned liner 94 therein. Another significant component of the guitarstand comprises an elongated cushioned lever return bumper strip 96which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in particular and which is fixed in thechannel of the coacting frame member 97 (FIG. 3). Referring again to thefront panel 92 and to the interior of the slotted portion it will beseen that a substantially U-shaped member 98 is provided and it, inturn, is provided with a rubber cushioning sleeve 100 which serves as alimit stop in a manner to be later described. Either the limit stopmeans or the panel 92 is employed to support a horizontal forwardlydownwardly inclined chord selector plate 102 which in practice isprovided with alphabetical letters G, B, C, D, A, F, E (FIG. 1) whichdesignate either notes or harmonious chords which are capable of beingmechanically fingered by the mechanism of the invention. This chordplate may be considered a part of the stand. Referring now to FIG. 1 thenumeral 104 designates a rod or shaft which extends between the twobrackets 80 and 81 and which is provided with rod suspending sleeves 106and guide collars 108.

It is believed that the description thus far will sufiice to comprehendthe guitar 12, which is conventional, and the support stand, as a unit,on which the inclined ready-toplay guitar is supported.

It is now desirable to take up and dispose of the pedalactuated andcontrolled lever mechanism for fretting the strings and then the pickingmeans and means for actuating and controlling the picking means. Withrespect to the lever mechaism it will be evident that there are sevenselectively usable hingedly mounted trippable levers. It will be simplerto consider only one lever inasmuch as all of the levers are the same inconstruction. Each lever is denoted by the numeral 104 and is asubstantially C- shaped rod of the curvature or general shape evident inside elevation in FIG. 3 and amply brought out in perspective in FIG. 9.In fact and with respect to FIG. 9 each lever and its construction canbe more easily understood wherein it will be noted that the lower orforward end portion 106 is provided with a suitable cap-like tip 108.The median curvate or bight portion 110 is provided partially at thepoint shown in FIG, 3 wherein it bears against the constantly tensionedcushion 96, the function of which is to return the lever and foot pedalto its normal readyto-use position. The generally horizontal portion 112of the lever is provided with a bearing 114 which is mounted foroscillation on the support shaft 86. The terminal end portion of thegenerally straight limb 112 is provided with strap anchoring brackets116 and also with a suitably shaped finger 118 terminating in aroller-like head 120 which constitutes a string depressing and frettingmember. Inasmuch as the lower tipped end 108 extends through one of theaforementioned slots 94 and beyond the same, it is in a position to becontacted with the toe of the left foot and thus depressed in a mannerto rock the lever on its hinge point 114. The numeral 122 (FIG. 3) is asimple stabilizing brace for the arms or limbs of the overall lever 104.As shown in simplified FIG. 9 a single depressor 120 is illustrated onan appropriately shaped finger and this depressor is located over theE-string. In fact it is in a position so that when the pedal is operatedthe depressor comes down and stops the E-string at the third or G fret.This same principle is carried out in all of the levers 104 except thatsome of the fingers, also designated at 118, are provided with doubleends and consequently are provided at end thereof with dual heads. Theheads are arranged so that thye are above and coact with certainpredetermined strings with the result that when the first lever at theleft in FIG. 1 is depressed it produces either the G note or tonesuggested in FIG. 9 or, when the pick means comes into play, produces aharmonious chord such as the GD chord. Instead of dwelling on thissingle and dual finger and head aspect it is believed that thesimplified single finger representation in FIG. 9 should be sufiicientto shoW how any one of the hinged or pivoted levers come into play toactuate a finger 118 which in turn operates a string depressor head orequivalent member 120 to stop a given string at a predetermined fret.Inasmuch as a complete guitar has been shown it was deemed necessary tocarry out the principle of lever-operated-fingers with string depressorscoacting with all four of the strings in a more detailed manner. It isfurther evident that when a particular lever is depressed and releasedthe spring-cushioned means 96 comes into play to return the lever to itsnormal or readyto-depress position. With the aid of the chord selectorplate 102 and the chords thereon (designated by the alphabeticalletters) the performer is in a position with his left foot tomechanically finger the four strings of the guitar singly andcollectively according, of course, to the particular composition whichis being played.

Not only is it necessary to mechanically finger or fret the strings itis also necessary to simultaneously pluck the strings. It follows thateach string is provided with a pick-wheel. In other words there are foursuch pickwheels and in actual practice and also for convenience in thepresent disclosure these pick-wheels are designated (from front to back)as white, red, blue and black respectively. Here again and as eachpick-wheel is the same in construction it is thought that the indicatedcolors (white, red, blue and black) will suffice to dilferentiatebetween the four wheels and to bring out the fact that each wheel islocated in a manner to move toward and from the underlying string withwhich it is associated. With this in mind each wheel or reel is of aratchet type and is denoted by the numeral 124 (FIG. 9). The reel orwheel comprises a first head 126 and a parallel second head 128, pins130 being located therebetween and providing the desired ratchetingaction. The head 128 is provided with six flexibly resilientcircumferentially equidistant radial picks 132 which are arranged tostrike a given string, for example the E-string in the manner suggestedin FIG. 9. To position the ratchet wheels so that they will functionproperly and swing down to a playing level or position, and up to anon-playing position carriers are provided for each wheel. Thesecarriers are basically the same in construction and it is only necessaryto point out that each yokelike carrier is of the elongated U-shapedform, as clearly brought out in FIG. 9. However, and for convenience ofdistinction the so-called black carrier is denoted at 134, the redcarrier 136, the blue carrier 138 and white carrier 140. Each carrier,being U-shaped, embodies a curvate bight portion 142, a rearwardlinearly straight limb 144 which serves as a shaft, and a forward limb146 which serves as a reach arm. It is on the right hand end portion ofthe reach arm that a pick-equipped free-turning wheel 124 is mounted forrotation. Each rearward shaft 144 is mounted for oscillation in abearing 148 in spaced cooperating blocks 90. A coiled spring 150 isprovided and has its ends 152 suitably anchored to provide the desiredoscillatory action. In other words the spring 150 normally acts on theshaft 144 so that the unified reach arm 146 is yieldingly lifted to anup position which clears the picks above the E or other string as isthought to be evident in FIG. 9. So that the reach arm will descendsimultaneously with the desired lever means to obtain the desiredfretting and picking action, leather or equvalent straps 154 areprovided and are of the looped construction shown in FIG. 6 for example.The bracket 116 on the end of the lever, that is the end 156 hassuitable apertured ears 158 and the lower looped ends of the straps areconnected thereto. The upper end portions are laced at 160 throughadjustable clip means 162 which is adjustable by a setscrew 164. Thusthe straps 154 can be lengthened or shortened so that the free endportions 156 of the levers and the reach arms go down and up in propersynchronized relationship.

It is necessary now to provide means for transmitting motion to andturning the pick-wheels 124 to obtain the desired slap bass or pizzicatoeffect. Briefly, this means comprises a single foot treadle which isdenoted generally by the numeral 166 in FIG. 4 and which has a toeportion 168 and a heel portion 170. The lever is keyed intermediate itsends on a rocker shaft 172 carried by a bracket 174, said rocker shaftoperating a first rocker arm 176. The rocker shaft 176 is connected at178 by links 180 to the lower end portion 182 of an upstanding second ormain rocker arm 184, the pivot point of connection being denoted at 186.Suitable adjusting means for the rocker arm 184 is provided, as shown indotted lines in FIG. 4. This rocker arm has its upper median portionhingedly mounted at on an appropriate bracket 192 carried by the stand,as shown in FIG. 4. The upper end of the rocker arm 184 is provided witha yoke 194 which in turn is provided with an anchoring rod 196 to whichseveral spaced parallel push-pull rods 198, 200 and 201 are adjustablyconnected as denoted generally at 202. These several rods as shownparticularly in FIG. I extend at right angles to the strings of theguitar and have free end portions 204 riding freely in theaforementioned supporting collars 108 (FIG. 4). In other words, theseseveral push-pull rods can be caused to ride or reciprocate back andforth being supported adjustably at the right hand end by the upper yoke194 on the rocker arm 184 and freely slidable on the anti-frictioncollars or roller means 108 as is also evident in FIG. 4. Thesepush-pull rods are provided with spring-loaded pawls. The rod 198underlies the white and black reels and it is provided with forward andrearward pawls. The forward pawl is denoted at 206 and the rearward pawlat 208. Each pawl is pivotally mounted in a slot provided therefor asdenoted at 210 (FIG. 5), the median portion of the pawl being acted uponby a coil or an equivalent spring 212. The free end of the pawl in eachinstance is arranged in the path so that it will engage the ratchet pins130 on the respective white and black reels or pick-wheels in the mannerevident from FIG. 5. In other words, when the push-pull rod 198 isshoved back and forth in the direction of the arrow means 214 it will beevident that the picks, that is the particular picks which are in aposition above the selected string, will come into play to pluck thestring. This is shown at the left in FIG. 1 wherein it is evident thatwhen the push-pull rod 198 moves in the direction from left to right,the picks on the pick-wheel strike the G-string and provide the desiredplucking action. Obviously in order to operate the fingering or frettingand picking means it is necessary for the user to be thoroughly familiarwith the instrument, the strings, the chords to be selected and pluckedmuch in the same manner as would be accomplished if the instrument werebeing played by the fingers of the players hands. Using the left footthe selector levers are chosen and depressed and whichever lever isactuated brings into play the mechanical fingering or fretting meansdesired. At the same time the strap means 154 which is attached to thatparticular lever acts on the reach arm 146 of the pick-wheel and thedesired pickwheel comes down over the selected string and by operatingthe treadle means 166 with the heel and toe at the desired tempo andaccording to the rhythm pattern at hand the pizzicato or slap basspicking and sound eifect is achieved.

It is reiterated at this point that the over-all concept can bereasonably well and fairly understood by referring to FIG. 9 which showsa single trippable pivoted lever carrying a mechanical fretting fingeras at 118 and 120 and which pulls the strap means '154 down to operatethe reach arm 146 and to position the pick-wheel over the E-string sothat when the push-pull rod 198 comes into play the picking result ishad. As soon as the pedal is released the cushion means 96 returns thelever and the spring means 150 on the shaft or arm 144 returns the U-shaped yoke or carrier in a seemingly evident manner. Inasmuch as all ofthe features and advantages have been heretofore set forth it isbelieved that a more extended description is unnecessary.

With a vie-w toward better stabilizing and retaining the guitar in placeit is deemed advisable to provide a tailpiece clamp, more specifically,a clamp which takes the form of a resilient clip which is attachable tothe usual button 216 on the butt end of the instrument as shown in FIGS.1 and 2 respectively. This clip is denoted as a unit by the numeral 218and is of general J-shaped form in edge elevation. It is made of asuitable grade of stainless steel or the like and the vertical limb hasan opening therein (not detailed) which is fitted removably over thebutton 216. The leg portion of the clip or clamp depends to theapproximate level shown in FIG. 2 wherein it terminates in a suitablejaw or detent 220 which is snapped releasably beneath the frame member42 as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown andescribed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a stringed musical instrument having a body providedwith an elongated neck fixed to and extending from one end of said body,said neck terminating in a head and being provided with a string seatingnut at the juncture of the head and neck, a complemental bridge parallelto and spaced longitudinally from said nut, at least one vibratorystring stretched tautly across said bridge and nut and having its endportions anchored on the body and head, respectively, said head havingregulable means thereon for raising and lowering the pitch of saidstring at will, rigid support means positioning and holding saidinstrument in a readily applicable and removable horizontal playingposition with said string disposed in an upwardly facing accessibleposition, a rigid one-piece lever having a median portion pivotallyoperatively mounted on said support and having a free lower endconstituting a foot pedal and a free upper end overlying, spaced aboveand movable toward and from a predetermined portion of said string, andmechanical string stopping fingering means carried by a terminal portionof said upper end, located proximal to, and forcibly but releasablyengageable with that portion of said string with which it is oriented.

2. The combination according to claim 1, and wherein said neck isprovided with a fretted fingerboard and said fingering means ischaracterized by a finger aligned with said string and terminating in aroller-like depressor head which is adapted to depress and stop itsintended cooperating portion of said string behind the particular fretwith which it is coordinated and related.

3. The combination according to claim 2, and wherein said supportcomprises a portable stand embodying a horizontally elongated inclinedleg-supported frame having longitudinal side members joined bytransverse end members, said end members having fixed cushioning padsatop which said head and butt end of said body, respectively, areremovably seated and stationed to assume said playable position.

4. The combination according to claim 3, and wherein that portion of theframe which accommodates said body is also provided with an adjustableupwardly arched saddle having a protector sleeve underlying, seating andstabilizing the bottom side of the body which is seated firmly thereon.

5. The combination defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein saidlever is substantially C-shaped in elevation and whose lower end is freeand constitutes and provides a foot pedal, said upper end being straightand overlying said string in a position at right angles to thelengthwise axis of said string, the curvate median portion of said rodhaving a fixed sleeve providing a rocker bearing and mounted foroscillation on a fixed shaft provided on said support.

6. The combination according to claim 1, and in combination therewith, areach arm disposed in a plane above and capable of movement in a pathtoward and from said string, pick-equipped means operatively mounted onsaid reach arm, the picks on said means being intermittently engageablewith and disengageable from said string, means linking and connectingthe upper end of said lever with an adjacent portion of said reach armin a manner that when said upper end moves down to bring said fingeringmeans into play said reach arm and pick-equipped means is simultaneouslybrought into play whereby the string is fingered and plucked at the sameinstant, pressure responsive means on said support and cooperable withsaid lever automatically acting on and adapted to return the lever to anormal neutral position, spring means acting on and automaticallyreturning and maintaining said reach arm in its normal neutral pickmeans elevating and releasing state a foot treadle pivotally mounted onsaid support means, and means controlled by said treadle for actuatingthe pick means and plucking the stopped string in unison and also inkeeping with a desired tempo and rhythm pattern.

7. The combination defined in and according to claim 6, and wherein thelower pedal end of said lever is at a level and locale that it isadapted to be actuated and controlled by the left foot of the performer,said treadle being located on the support relative thereto and pedal endof said lever that it can be conveniently actuated and controlled by theright foot of the performer, said treadle controlled means embodying ahorizontal reciprocable push-pull rod having a spring-biased cam-likepawl, a linking and operating connection between said treadle andpush-pull rod, said pick means comprising a ratchet wheel freelyrotatable on said reach arm and provided with radial circumferentiallyspaced string plucking flexibly resilient picks, said wheel beingaligned and in the path of reciprocation of said rod, whereby to permitsaid pawl to engage the ratchet means, for example, on the rearwardstroke of the rod and releasably coact therewith on the forward returnstroke.

8. In combination, a portable stand embodying a legsupported horizontalrelatively low-level frame having end members with cushioned pads fixedthereon, an electric bass guitar poised in a playable position abovesaid frame and embodying a body portion with its butt end securelyseated on a cooperating underlying pad and the headed end of its frettedneck retentively seated on the coacting underlying cushioned pad, saidguitar having the usual nut at the juncture of the head and frettedfingerboard of said neck and a string elevating bridge atop its bodyportion, and E-string strained over the nut and bridge, respectively,with one end wound on a pitch tuning key on said head and the other tailend anchored beyond said bridge, an elongated reach arm located in aplane above and capable of alignable movement toward and from saidE-string, a ratchet wheel mounted for free turning rotation on an end ofsaid reach arm adjacent said bridge, said wheel provided \with radialcircumferentially spaced flexible plastic picks intermittently andtimely engageable with and for mechanically but pliantly plucking saidstring in accordance 'with the time signature of the composition beingplayed, bearing means bracketed on said frame, a shaft pournaled forrotation in said hearing means, said shaft being joined to said reacharm and being movable in conjunction with said reach arm, a coil springencircling the journaled end portion of said shaft and secured to theshaft and bearing means, respectively, and tensioned to rock the shaftand lift said arm to assume a normal position elevating and spacing saidwheel above said string but permitting the reach arm and wheel to assumea down position with the picks readied to pluck said string, first footcontrolled means for lowering the arm and orienting the picks relativeto the plucking level of the string, and second foot controlled meansfor rotating the wheel and picks to comply with the tempo and rhythmicalbeat desired by the performer.

9. The combination defined in and according to claim 8, and wherein saidfirst foot controlled means comprises a substantially C-shaped triplever having (1) a lower end fashioned to define and provide the desiredfoot pedal, (2) an upper horizontally disposed end overlying said stringand terminating in a mechanical finger engageable with said string atwill in a manner to depress the string and (3) a curvate median portionhaving a fixed sleeve providing a rocker bearing and mounted for freeangular rotation on a fixed suspension shaft provided on said sup port.

10. The combination according to claim 9, and wherein said support isprovided with an elastic bumper with which the curvate portion of saidlever constantly is engaged in a manner to automatically act on andreturn and retain said trip lever in a predetermined pedal raisingfinger-releasing neutral position, and a reach arm pull-do wn straphaving an upper end looped around and adjustably connected to said armand a lower end connected to the underlying upper end portion of saidlever.

11. In combination, a stand embodying a horizontally elongated framehaving instrument basing supporting and retaining means, said frameprovided with depending elevating legs adapted to rest on a fioor or thelike, a stringed musical instrument having a body whose butt end islocated and removably supported atop one end portion of said frame, saidbody provided at its other end with a fretted neck terminating in a headwith said head removably located and operatively supported atop acorresponding end of said frame, said instrument having at least onevibratory tone producing string adjustably anchored, supported andstretched across the body and fretted neck in a position and manner thatthe median and one end portion can be fretted and the other end portionplucked with lectrum-type picks, a pedal-controlled means operativelymounted on said frame and actuatable by one foot of the performer, saidmeans embodying string depressing and fretting members, rhythmicallyactuata-ble pick-equipped means intermittently engageable with saidstring, a treadle pivotally supported on said frame and actuatable bythe other foot of the performer, and an operating connection betweensaid treadle and pick-equipped means.

12. The structure defined in and according to claim 11 and wherein saidpedal controlled means comprises a plurality of pivotally mounted sideby side spaced parallel generally C-shaped levers, the lower end portionof each lever providing a pedal which can be tripped with the toe of theleft foot, the upper end being horizontal and overlying the string andterminating in a laterally directed rigid finger, said fingerterminating in a roller-like head which is movable toward and from andis adapted to engage the selected part of the string.

13. The structure defined in and according to claim 12 and wherein saidpick-equipped means is characterized by an elongated U-shaped carriermember having a rearward arm providing a shaft, said shaft being mountedfor oscillation in bearing means, the forward limb providing a reacharm, said reach arm being alignable with and movable toward and from acoacting string, said reach arm having a free end portion, said free endportion being provided with a ratchet wheel.

14. The structure defined in and according to claim 12 and wherein saidpick-equipped means is characterized by an elongated U-shaped carriermember having a rearward arm providing a shaft, said shaft being mountedfor oscillation in bearing means, the forward limb providing a reacharm, said reach arm being alignable with and movable toward and from acoacting string, said reach arm having a free end portion, said free endportion being provided with a ratchet wheel, said ratchel wheelembodying spaced parallel heads connected by ratchet pins, one of saidheads being provided with circumferentially spaced radial flexiblestring contacting picks.

15. The structure defined in and according to claim 14 and incombination, a reciprocable push-pull rod coacting with said reel andhaving a spring-biased pawl, said pawl being engageable with saidratcheting pins, and means for reciprocating said rod comprising arocker arm, a pivotally mounted foot pedal, and an operating connectionbetween said treadle and a lower end of said rocker arm.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 370,582 10/1887 Wigand 84315668,885 2/1901 Schneider 84320 1,871,021 8/1932 Zachrison 848 RICHARD B.WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

GARY M. POLUMBUS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 848, 320

